You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too.
English
idiom
You can't enjoy both sides of a desirable situation; choices often involve sacrifices.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
You can't enjoy both sides of a desirable situation; choices often involve sacrifices.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
You can't enjoy two things at once when having one rules out the other.
You have to choose, because you can't keep a thing and use it up at the same time.
It's used when someone wants both options and won't accept the cost of either.
"Have It Both Ways"
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To benefit from two contradictory situations at the same time
"Bite Off More Than You Can Chew"
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To take on more responsibility than you can actually handle
"You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat it Too"
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You must choose — you can't keep two benefits that rule each other out
We want premium quality but we need it at half the current price.
You can't have your cake and eat it too — let's talk about what matters most.
I want to stay out late tonight but also be up early tomorrow.
You can't have your cake and eat it too — pick one.
I want to freelance full-time but also have complete job security.
You can't have your cake and eat it too — what are you willing to give up?
